SENIOR COMMAND COURSE 15 CONCLUDES MAJOR CONVENTIONAL EXERCISE TO HONE DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS EXPERTISE

The Senior Command Course (SCC) No 15 has successfully wrapped up an intensive 7-day major exercise focused on conventional warfare settings, specifically designed to deepen participants’ mastery of defensive operations, a critical component of modern military strategy. The exercise, structured to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, marked a key milestone in refining the tactical and strategic capabilities of the Student Officers, who are poised to serve as the Army’s future battalion commanders.

Central to the exercise was a simulated enemy environment that replicated real-world conventional warfare scenarios. This immersive setup was intentional: it aimed to challenge participants, test their decision-making under pressure, and reinforce core concepts of defensive operations, tactics focused on repelling enemy advances, securing critical assets, and preserving friendly force capabilities, rather than targeting beyond the immediate battlefield. For these future battalion commanders in SCC No 15, the simulated setting was not just a practice ground, but a platform to reinforce and solidify the operational expertise they will need to lead battalions effectively.

The exercise unfolded in a phased, hands-on manner to ensure holistic learning under distinctive areas of, Ground Reconnaissance: Student Officers first conducted on-the-ground reconnaissance of the simulated operational area. This step was critical to grounding their plans in “realities”, gathering firsthand data on terrain, potential enemy positions, and logistical constraints, rather than relying solely on theoretical inputs. For future battalion commanders, this skill is vital to making informed, terrain-driven decisions that protect their units.

Cloth Model Discussions: Post-reconnaissance, participants engaged in focused, collaborative discussions. They evaluated key factors including enemy capabilities, friendly force strengths, terrain challenges, and mission objectives to refine their operational plans, fostering the teamwork and critical thinking required to coordinate battalion-level efforts.

Tactical Exercise Without Troops (TEWT): The exercise culminated in a TEWT at Kodayana in Siyambalanduwa, where Student Officers walked through their finalised plans in the simulated environment, role-playing command decisions and adjusting strategies in real time. This no-troop format allowed them to practice the high-stakes decision-making that will define their roles as battalion commanders, with room for feedback and growth.

During the engagement, the Commandant Major General P S Subath Sanjeewa RSP nps psc shared valuable insights on designing and conducting defensive operations. He emphasized applying operational, geographic, and tactical frameworks to determine what actions to take, where to take them, and how to execute them successfully.

The significance of this exercise extends beyond skill-building: it directly strengthens the Army’s future readiness by preparing its next generation of battalion commanders to execute effective defensive operations in conventional conflicts. By merging ground truth, collaborative planning, and simulated execution, Student Officers of SCC No 15 have developed the confidence and competence to lead complex battalion-level missions, ensuring the army remains prepared to address evolving security challenges.

The Student Officers' commitment has resulted in the successful achievement of all exercise objectives, culminating in a high-note conclusion to the exercise.